The club sandwich probably first appeared in bookmakers, or clubhouses, in New York in the late 19th century, which is why it got its name. The sandwich was meant to be a complete meal. Since then, this sandwich has become a classic in cafeterias and inns around the world. To make your own, try a classic recipe or change the ingredients to your personal taste. Serve it with French fries or a tasty soup for a hot, nutritious lunch.
Ingredients
- 2 or 3 slices of white bread;
- 2 or 3 strips of bacon;
- Mayonnaise;
- Sliced chicken or turkey breast;
- sliced tomato;
- Lettuce;
- Salt and pepper (optional to taste).
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Classic double-decker club sandwich
Step 1. Fry two or three slices of bacon until crisp
Add bacon to a cold flat skillet and heat slowly over medium-high heat, turning the bacon frequently. Fry until crisp, tap with paper towels to remove grease, and set aside until ready to assemble sandwich.
- If you prefer, you can also use pre-cooked or microwaveable bacon for a quick alternative. Turkey or soy bacon are less fatty options.
- Be careful when frying bacon as the fat can spill and burn you! Use a tong or spatula to help turn it over safely.
Step 2. Toast three slices of white sandwich bread
Club sandwiches are usually made with white sandwich bread that is toasted until crisp. To make the traditional sandwich sandwich like a diner, toast three slices of bread so you can place one in the middle of the sandwich. Or, if you prefer a simple one-layer sandwich, use two slices.
- To cut down on the sandwich's calories, you can eliminate the middle slice. The sandwich will still look great!
- Place slices in a row on a clean surface after toasting.
Step 3. Spread mayonnaise on a slice of bread
Use a table knife or margarine to spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on one side of the bottom slice. This condiment helps keep the sandwich moist, but if you don't like or don't want the extra calories, you can skip this step.
Some recipes also suggest a layer of butter on both sides of each slice of bread, which will make your sandwich even more flavorful and moist
Step 4. Place the sliced chicken or turkey
On top of the bottom slice of bread, add a few pieces of thinly sliced poultry meat. Chicken is the traditional option, but turkey is also commonly used. Use purchased beef or slice your own chicken or roast turkey breast if you want a thicker sandwich.
The meat of a club sandwich is almost always cold. If you want to roast a chicken or turkey for a sandwich, that's fine, but let it cool to room temperature before making the sandwich
Step 5. Finish the first layer with lettuce and tomato
Add one or two iceberg lettuce leaves and one or two slices of fresh tomato. Any type of crunchy lettuce will go with this recipe.
- Spinach and other leafy greens are also great replacements, but iceberg lettuce is the most traditionally used.
- If you like, season the ingredients with a little salt and pepper to taste.
Step 6. Add another slice of bread and mayonnaise
You are halfway there! To start the second layer, you can add another slice of toasted bread, with mayonnaise on both sides if you like. Mayonnaise is not required on this slice, and the entire slice can be taken out of the recipe if you like.
If you choose not to add the middle slice, apply mayonnaise on only one side of the second slice. Put the bacon on the sandwich, put the second slice of bread on top and you're done
Step 7. Place the bacon on the second layer of bread
Start the second layer of the sandwich by placing two or three strips of bacon on top of the bread slice. You can cut it into pieces if the bacon is too big for the sandwich.
Another option is to place the bacon on the bottom layer
Step 8. Add another layer of chicken or turkey, tomatoes and lettuce
On top of the bacon, complete the second layer of the sandwich. Start with chicken or turkey, and put the lettuce and tomato on top. Lighten up the second layer so the sandwich doesn't get too heavy on top.
Step 9. Finish the sandwich with the last slice of toasted bread
After setting up your tower, add another slice of bread and press down a little to keep the sandwich under control. If you like, you can add mayonnaise to the top slice before assembling.
Step 10. Cut the sandwich into two diagonals
Now comes the fun part! One of the club sandwich's most famous features is the way it is cut. Use diagonal slices to make classic triangles and show off the filling! To start, cut the sandwich from one corner to the other, then diagonally across, forming four triangle-shaped slices.
- Use a sharp kitchen knife for best results. If you've made a classic double sandwich, you have a lot of layers to cut.
- Some people like to cut the bread crusts before cutting the sandwich on the diagonals so that the triangles are perfect.
- Place a toothpick in the middle of each sandwich piece to keep them together.
Step 11. Serve your sandwich with fries in the middle of the plate
Arrange the sandwich pieces on the plate, leaving a space in the middle for the side. French fries are the most common option, but you can also pair them with a potato salad, cabbage salad, or a pickle green salad.
For a warm, smooth accompaniment, add a cup of chicken noodle soup or tomato soup. You can even dip your sandwich in it
Method 2 of 2: Club Sandwich Variations
Step 1. Use another type of bread for a more complex taste and texture
Most club sandwiches are made with plain white bread, but you can get creative. Try making a sandwich with multi-grain or rye bread for a little extra flavor.
For a really creative snack, use three different slices of bread: wholemeal on the bottom, rye on top, and black bread in the middle. Have a good time
Step 2. Add a slice of your favorite cheese to give it a salty feel
Most clubs don't have cheese, but which sandwich isn't a little better with a slice of cheddar, provolone, American cheese, or spicy? Sandwich rules are meant to be broken. Place a slice of cheese on top of the second layer of filling to add some flavor.
You can also use some type of curd, either common or flavored; that would look great in a club
Step 3. Change the meat to change the flavor
A club is usually made with poultry meat such as chicken or turkey. But what about a roast beef sandwich? Dry meat? Roasted pork? You can also combine turkey and ham for a classic flavor combination.
If you don't eat meat, use slices of zucchini, eggplant or grilled mushrooms as a substitute
Step 4. Mix seasonings with mayonnaise for extra flair
Good old-fashioned mayonnaise can make even a bad sandwich edible. But with an extra touch, mayonnaise can be great. Think about making some of the mixes below to give it a special flavor:
- pesto mayonnaise (one tablespoon of pesto for every 1/2 cup of mayonnaise);
- Curry Mayonnaise (1/2 tablespoon curry powder for every 1/2 cup of mayonnaise);
- Rose sauce (ketchup and mayonnaise);
- Thousand island sauce (French sauce, pickles and mayonnaise);
- Spicy mayonnaise (sriracha sauce to taste and mayonnaise);
- Brown Mustard Mayonnaise (two tablespoons of brown mustard to 1/2 cup of mayonnaise);
- Mayonnaise and Cajun seasoning (one teaspoon to 1/2 cup of mayonnaise).
Step 5. Substitute other condiments to spice up your sandwich
If you like ketchup, put it on. Mustard with honey? Barbecue sauce? Balsamic vinegar? Banana sauce? Pepper sauce? Go with everything! The club sandwich is a very basic recipe that you can change to suit any taste. Experiment with different sauces to discover your favorite flavor.
Use a different condiment on each slice of bread to make the layers distinct and unusual. This will be the most epic sandwich ever
Tips
- Instead of mayonnaise, substitute salad cream or cocktail sauce with a touch of curry powder.
- To make a California-style sandwich, add a few slices of avocado to each layer.